Scribes Trained for the Kingdom

"for the non-specialist who is wanting to take his or her first steps into reading the greek new testament, this is an ideal text."

Robert L. Plummer, Ph.D.

Professor of New Testament Interpretation

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Founder and Host, Daily Dose of Greek

“in an era when many students of christian ministry fail to see the ;importance and usefulness of studying nt greek, dr. collier has ;bequeathed to us a valuable resource.  his presentation of the study ;of greek as a spiritual discipline may be just the insight that will ;incentivize some souls to take up the yoke of greek studies.  from ;now on, i’m going to recommend this book to all of the ministry ;students at the college where i teach.”

Barry Blackburn, Sr. Ph.D.

Professor of New Testament Point University

Author of Theios Aner and the Markan Miracle Traditions

“the seven spiritual benchmarks for nt greek study that are taught in this book are real, practical, and tremendously effective.  if you are like me, you will soak these up, reading them over and over again.  you will want them in your life!  through this study, the lord, through his spirit and his word, will work on your heart not only for your sake, but for the sake of his people.”

twila higginbottom

Wife, Mother, Bible Student and Teacher

Board Member: Institute for the Art of Biblical Conversation

Gary Dean Collier (born August 31, 1950) is an American New Testament scholar focusing on the topics scripture and canon, midrash, and intertextuality of the New Testament. Related to these interests, he has proposed a "conversational model" for understanding biblical interrelationships. He has written and edited books and articles ranging from academic studies in Paul to popular level study books for church groups. He is the founder and current CEO of the not-for-profit Institute for the Art of Biblical Conversation.

EDUCATION: Collier was the first from his immediate family to attended college. He entered as a Bible and Biblical languages major at Freed-Hardeman College (A.A.,1970) and continued at David Lipscomb College (B.A., 1972) and Harding Graduate School of Religion (M.Th. 1977). At Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA), Collier graduated summa cum laude (4.0 grade average) studying with Drs. Donald A. Hagner, Ralph P. Martin, and Robert A. Geulich. Upon graduation Collier received the Everett Harrison, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Award as top graduating student (Th.M., 1991).

While attending Fuller Seminary, Collier also studied Comparative Midrash with James A. Sanders at the Ancient Biblical Manuscript Center in Claremont, CA., and also attended regularly (for two years) the New Testament Graduate Seminar at the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity (of the Claremont Graduate School) directed at that time by James M. Robinson of the Nag Hammadi Library fame.

Upon entry to the University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology (1991, Denver, CO.), Collier was awarded the Gerald L. & Florence M. Schlessman Graduate Fellowship (Highest Academic Award for entering doctoral studies) where he studied especially with Drs. Gregory Robbins and Dennis R. MacDonald, and where he received two awards: Rocky Mountain/Great Plains regional award for best student paper for the Society of Biblical Literature (1993) and the Christian Scholarship Foundation Graduate Student Award (1995). After completing his coursework and qualifying exams, a family crisis led to an extended leave. Collier then completed his Ph.D. in 2014 with the Graduate Theological Foundation through its association with Oxford University. His dissertation defense was held at Christ Church before a mixed American/Oxford faculty committee. Professor Donald A. Hagner served as the supervisor of the dissertation entitled Engaging Paul: Shades of Conversation in 1Thessalonians (2014), which has since been thoroughly revised and expanded for a wider audience.

CAREER: Collier was appointed as Teaching Fellow at Fuller Theological Seminary for both Hebrew and Greek languages, and he became a Teaching Assistant for professor Donald A. Hagner, serving as the initial (unlisted) proof-reader for the Word commentary on 1Thessalonians by F. F. Bruce. He also taught Greek as an adjunct faculty member (from 1992-1995) at the Iliff School of Theology while in residence during doctoral classwork...

table of contents  

Explanation of Chapter Format:  9

Master List:  The 7 Spiritual Benchmarks    11

1 A GREEK EXPERIENCE    13

2 A SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE    21

3 A TIME TO SOW    31

4 SCRIBES    39

5 TRAINED    47

6 KINGDOM OF HEAVEN    55

7 HOUSEHOLD MANAGER    69

8 TREASURE    83

9 NEW    93

10 OLD    103

APPENDIX    119